Swaging means



Feb. 21, 1967 SK|NNER 3,304,762

SWAGING MEANS Filed Dec. 23, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 21, 1967 E. R. SKINNER 3,304,762

SWAGING MEANS Filed Dec. 23, 1963 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,304,762 SWAGUIG MEANS Earl Ray Skinner, Old Cape Road, Jackson, Mo. 63755 Filed Dec. 23, E63, Ser. No. 332,529 11 Claims. (Cl. 72-479) The present invention relates generally to swaging means for swaging tube and pipe ends and the like and to improve means for making connections between tube and pipe sections.

Many devices have been constructed and used heretofore to swage or otherwise form the ends of pipes, tubes and similar devices such as are commonly used for water, gas and similar conduits to enable connections to be made between adjacent sections and to prevent leakage. The known swaging and forming means and methods, however, are relatively complicated to construct and operate, and have not been suitable for use at an installation site. Furthermore, all known swaging and forming devices are relatively incapable of forming accurate enough surfaces for many purposes especially where relatively high pressure liquids and gases are being confined. Still further, the known swaging devices are relatively time consuming to use, and frequently result in damage to the pipe or tube ends being swaged especially when being removed at the completion of an operation. The present swaging means overcomes these and other disadvantages and shortcomings of known swaging means by providing swaging means which are relatively inexpensive to make and relatively easy to use. Furthermore, the subject swaging means are capable of being used at a work site with extreme accuracy even by relatively unskilled persons. The subject swaging means can also be quickly and accurately removed from the work without damaging the work. The relatively inexpensive and compact construction of the subject swaging means also makes it practical for a workman to carry a full set of tools for the various common pipe sizes in his tool box.

It is a principal object of the present invention therefore to provide improved means for accurately forming pipe and tube ends by swaging.

Another object is to provide means for improving the connections between tubes and pipes.

Another object is to provide relatively inexpensive and easy to use means for accurately swaging the ends of the tubes and pipes and the like.

Another object is to provide swaging means which can be accurately used at a work site even by relatively unskilled persons.

Another object is to provide a tool for accurately enlarging tube and pipe ends and the like such as tubes constructed of malleable material without pounding on or otherwise damaging the tubes or pipe during enlargement thereof.

Another object is to provide improved means for separating a swaging tool from a pipe or the like without damaging the pipe during removal.

Another object is to provide means for more accurately forming swaged pipe and tube ends, which means can be made in compact sets to cover a full range of sizes and carried in a workmans tool box.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after considering the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which show and describe several preferred embodiments of the subject device, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a swaging tool constructed according to the present invention, said tool being shown about to enter the end of a pipe or tube to be swaged;

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FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the swaging tool after it has completed a swaging operation;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a pipe having an end portion swaged by a tool constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing a modified form of the subject swaging tool;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevational view showing another modified form of the subject swaging tool, said tool being shown in position about to enter the end of a tube to be swaged;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the tool shown in FIG. 6 after it has completed a swaging operation but before it is removed from the swaged member;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the swaging tool per se shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a plug for use with the swaging tool of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view partly in section showing the swaging tool of FIG. 8 positioned in a device used in conjunction therewith to assist in accurately removing the tool from a swaged tube or pipe.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers, the number 24 in FIG. 1 refers to a swaging tool constructed according to the present invention. The swaging tool 24 has a tapered end portion 22, an adjacent portion 24 which is also preferably slightly tapered, a larger diameter cylindrical portion 26, and an other cylindrical portion 28. The swaging tool 20 is used by positioning the tapered end portion 22 in the end of a tube 3i) and pounding on the end portion 28 in an axial direction while the tube is being held to move the tool 20 into the tube 30. The enlarged portion 26 is provided to limit movement of the tool 20 into the end portion of the tube as shown in FIG. 2. After the tool 20 has been pounded into the end of the tube 20 to the depth shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the swaging operation is completed and the tool is removed. Removal of the tool from the tube is facilitated by making the tool portion 24 very slightly tapered. The slight taper is not objectionable for most applications where two tubes are to be connected together in a system such as a water or gas system where the connection is to be soldered. The slight taper is a big advantage in the swaging operation, however, because it makes it much easier to remove the tool 26) from the tube without damaging the swaged end portion of the tube. The swaged tube 30 is shown in FIG. 3 after the tool 20 has been removed therefrom.

For best operation it is important to accurately form the tapers on the portions 22 and 24. A taper of approximately 15 with the axis of the tool has been found to provide a very satisfactory taper angle for the portion 22, and a very slight taper of less than a degree or so has been found to provide the most satisfactory taper for the portion 24.

FIGS. 4- and 5 show a modified form of the subject tool identified by the number it). The modified tool includes provision for swaging two different tube sizes. The larger size tubes are swaged by the outer portion of the swaging tool 46 which includes a cylindrical portion 42 which enters the end portion of a tube and guides the tool during swaging. The outer portion also has a tapered portion 4-4 which engages the end of the tube and advances into the tube during a swaging operation. The tapered portion 44 therefore is the active work engaging portion of the tool during a swaging operation. The outer tool portion also has another tapered portion 46 on which the swaged end of the tube is accurately formed. The portion 46 is connected by suitable means to a wall member 48 which has a surface 49 that is pounded on to advance the tool into the tube. The wall member 48 is circular in shape and has a shoulder 50 which receives the por tion 46 as shown in FIG. 5. The wall member 48 also extends outwardly beyond the outer edge of the member 46 to form a second shoulder 52 which limits the amount the tool can advance into the tube.

The tool 40 also includes a second inner swaging portion for swaging in smaller diameter tubes. The second inner swaging portion is similar in construction to the outer portion and includes a cylindrical guide portion 54 which is similar to the portion 42. The inner portion also has a tapered work engaging portion 56 similar to the portion 44 and a second tapered portion 58 similar to the tapered portion 46. The inner swaging portion is operated in the same manner as the aforementioned swaging portion except that surface 60 on the member 48 limits forward movement of the tool 40 during a swaging operation instead of the shoulder 52.

A swaging operation using the tool 40 is accomplished by positioning the portion 42 or 54 extending into a tube to be swaged and pounding on the surface 49 to advance the tool 40 into the tube. This is continued until the tube end engages the shoulder 52 or the surface 60 of the member 48. When this occurs the swaged portion of the tube has the appropriate desired depth and the tool 40 is then removed. Removal of the tool is relatively easy because the portions 46 and 58 are tapered slightly thereby also preventing damage to the tube during removal. After the tool is removed the swaged tube can be quickly and eificiently connected to a similar unswaged tube end or other device using well known means such as soldering and the like. The tool 40 can also include other similar swaging portions positioned within or without the portions shown to cover a greater range of utility. It is also contemplated to construct other similar tools in different sizes to cover a full range of tube sizes. By so doing, a plumber or other person requiring swaging equipment can carry a full range of swaging tools in relatively compact form, which tools can be used conveniently and expeditiously even at the work site.

Another form of modified swaging tool is identified by the number 70 in FIGS. 610. The tool 70 is also a hand operated tool but is designed for even more precise work such as joining pipe or tube ends in relatively high pressure systems. For such applications it is desirable to have the swaged end portions substantially cylindrical to even more closely mate with the end portions of other tube ends or similar devices. However, to accomplish this, means must be provided to enable the tool to be removed for the work without damaging the swaged surface. This has not been possible heretofore particularly in field applications because of the relatively tight fits that develop during swaging between the tool and the work. Because of these tight fits it has been necessary heretofore to loosen the tools from the work by twisting and bending motions which damage the swaged surface and destroy the very conditions which are sought to be obtained. The tool 70, however, can be removed from the work without damage thereto.

The particular form of the modified tool 70 shown in the drawings is designed to be used to form substantially cylindrical swaged portions on two different sizes of tubes. Other similar tools can also be made to cover the full range of tube sizes.

The tool 70 includes an elongated member 72 which has a first cylindrical guide portion 74 on one end, an adjacent tapered portion 76, and another larger cylindrical portion 78 adjacent thereto. The opposite end of the member 72 has another cylindrical end portion 80, another tapered portion 82 similar to the portion 76, and another cylindrical portion 84. The portions 74, 76 and 78 on one end of the member 72 are of different diameters respectively than the corresponding portions 80, 82 and 84 on the opposite end thereof to be able to swage different size tubes. The portions 78 and 84 are also connected to a larger diameter cylindrical portion 86 located near the center of the member 72. If desired, all portions of the member 72 can be made integral.

A slide 88 is mounted on the member 72 and is formed by two threadedly engageable annular members 90 and 92. The member 90 has an opening 94 therethrough which freely slides on the portion 78 of the member 72, and the member 92 has an opening 96 which freely slides on the portion 84. The two members 90 and 92 together also have a cylindrical inner surface 98 which is large enough to freely move relative to the cylindrical portion 86. The slide 88 can therefore move back and forth on the member 72 between alternate end positions in which the portion 86 of the member 72 engages a shoul der 97 or shoulder 100 formed thereon. When the portion 86 engages the surface 98 (FIG. 7) the left end of the slide 88 will limit forward movement of a tubular member 102 onto the surface 78. In like manner, when the opposite end of the tool is used the right end of the slide 88 will limit forward movement between a tubul member being swaged and the cylindrical surface 8 Both ends of the member 72 are provided with similar axial counterbores 104 and 106. The counterbore 104 (or 106) at the end of the member 72 not being used for swaging receives a striker member 108 which includes a plunger portion 110 that is positioned extending into the counterbore and a head portion 112. The plunger portion 110 freely fits the counterbores 104 and 106 and has an angular groove 114 formed therein which receives an O-ring 116. When the plunger is positioned in the counterbore 104 (or 106) the O-ring 116 sealably engages the counterbore wall and forms an air cushion in the counterbore. During a swaging operation, the striker 108 is pounded on by a suitable tool such as a mallet to advance the opposite end of the swaging member 72 into a tube end. In so doing, the air cushion absorbs some of the shock and prevents damage to the tool and to the work. The striker 108 can later be removed from the counterbore simply by twisting and pulling and can be reinselted in the counterbore at the opposite end of the tool or into another similar tool.

The tool 70 is operated as already described by inserting one end of the member 72 into the end of a pipe or tube to be swaged with the striker 108 inserted in the counterbore at the opposite end of the tool. The operator then pounds on the striker member 108 to advance the tool into the tube. This process continues until the end of the tube engages and is stopped by the slide 88. Since the portions 78 and 84 of the subject tool are cylindrical or nearly cylindrical, it is very difficult to remove the tool from the tube simply by pulling on it. Furthermore, removal of the tool under these conditions 15 apt to damage the swaged tube portion especially if the tool or tube are twisted and wiggled loose from each other. To overcome this, the tool 70 is provided with a companion removal tool 120 which is shown in FIG. 10. The removal tool 120 is an elongated tubular member which has a bore 122 therethrough large enough to freely receive the slide 88 therein. The removal tool 120 is also provided with an integral annular ridge 124 on the inner surface positioned at an intermediate location. The ridge 124 is of a size to engage the ends of the slide 88, and the tool is positioned so that the ridge 124 is on the side of the slide opposite from the striker 108. In this position, the removal tool 120 is moved back and forth in a rapid motion having the ridge 124 repeatedly strike the end of the slide 88. By so doing, the tool 70 will be moved out of the tube 102 a little at a time without damaging the swaged surface thereon. Furthermore, removal in this way distributes the removal impact evenly around the slide member 88 and around the cylindrical portion 86 of the member 72 thereby preventing twisting and bending of the tool in the tube.

The shape of the removal tool 120 also provides a convenient holder or container for the associated swaging tool 70 thereby minimizing the space required therefor. The same or similar removal tool can also be used to remove other different size tools simply by constructing the slides to have the appropriate diameters.

Thus there has been shown and described novel swaging means for accurately forming the ends of pipes, tubes and other similar members which fulfills all of the objects and advantages sought therefor. Many changes, alterations and other modifications of the subject tool, however, and many different uses therefore will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, alterations and modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A tool for enlarging an end portion of a tubular member comprising a member having a first portion with an outer annular surface of a diameter greater than the internal diameter of a tubular member to be enlarged thereby, said annular surface having a taper of less than approximately one degree from one end of said first portion to the other, a second annular tapered portion integral with smaller diameter end of the aforesaid first portion and axially aligned therewith, said second tapered portion having a larger diameter end adjacent to one end of the aforesaid first portion, said diameter being substantially the same as the diameter of said adjacent end of the first portion and a small diameter opposite end having a diameter that is smaller than the internal diameter of the tubular member to be enlarged, an anvil portion on the opposite end of the first portion from the tapered portion on which force can be applied to force the first portion axially into an end of a tubular member, and means on said tool for limiting movement thereof into the tubular member.

2. A tool for enlarging and accurately forming the inner surface of an end portion of a tubular member having an inner cylindrical surface, said tool comprising an end portion having a first tapered annular outer surface having a small diameter end and a larger diameter end, the small diameter end being smaller than the internal diameter of the tubular member, and the larger diameter end being larger than the internal diameter of the tubular member, said tapered portion being adapted to be moved into engagement with the end of a tubular member to be enlarged, an adjacent second portion of substantially cylindrical shape integral with the tapered end portion on the larger diameter end thereof, said second portion having a length equal to the length of the end portion of the end portion of the tubular member to be enlarged and being defined by an annular outer surface tapered end-to-end at an angle of less than approximately one degree, the smaller diameter end thereof being coincident and integral with the larger diameter end of the first tapered portion, an anvil surface on the opposite end of the tool from said tapered end portion against which force can be applied to drive the tool axially into the end portion of the tubular member, and means for limiting the movement of said tool into the tubular member.

3. A tool for enlarging and accurately forming the inner surface of an end portion of a tubular member formed of a malleable material and having a cylindrical inner surface comprising a tool having a first substantially cylindrical end portion freely movably into an end of a tubular member to be enlarged, an annular truncated conical section having a smaller diameter end positioned adjacent to and in axial alignment with the said first cylindridal portion and a larger diameter end opposite therefrom, a second substantially cylindrical portion integral with and axially aligned with the larger diameter end of the truncated section, said second substantially cylindrical portion having spaced round end edges and an outer surface therebetween of the size and shape desired for the enlargement of the end portion of the tubular member, the end edge adjacent to the truncated section being slightly smaller in diameter than the opposite end edge, said outer surface being tapered from end-toend at an angle not to exceed about one degree relative to the axis thereof, an anvil member having an anvil surface mounted on the opposite end of the tool from said first cylindrical end portion against which force can be applied to drive the tool axially into the end of a tubular member, and means on said tool for limiting the depth of penetration to which the tool can be driven into the tubular member said last named means including outwardly extending means adjacent to one end of the outer surface of the substantially cylindrical portion against which force can be applied to back the tool out of the tubular member.

4. The tool defined in claim 3 wherein said first cylindrical end portion and associated truncated conical section are tubular in shape.

5. The tool defined in claim 4 wherein a plurality of said tubular cylindrical end portions and associated conical sections are arranged concentrically and are mounted on said anvil member.

6. A tool for accurately enlarging an end portion of a tubular member having a substantially cylindrical inner surface and an end edge comprising a work engaging portion comprising a substantially cylindrical guide member having a diameter substantially the same as the unstressed inner diameter of the tubular member, a truncated conical portion integral with the cylindrical guide member at one end thereof, said portion having a smaller diameter end of substantially the same diameter as the guide member and a larger diameter opposite end which is approximately the diameter to which the end portion of the tubular member is to be enlarged, a second substantially cylindrical portion integral with said truncated conical portion on the larger diameter end thereof, said second substantially cylindrical portion having an outer surface with an end-to-end taper of less than about one degree, the smaller diameter end thereof having a diameter substantially the same as the larger diameter end of the truncated conical portion, an anvil tool portion on the opposite end of the tool from the guide member against which force can be applied to drive the tool endwardly into the end of a tubular member whereby the tube end portion moves against the truncated conical portion and is enlarged thereon as it moves onto the second substantially cylindrical portion, and means for limiting the distance the tool can be driven into the tubular member.

7. The tool defined in claim 6 wherein said anvil portion includes an axial counterbore in the end of the tool opposite from the guide portion, an anvil plug member positioned in said counterbore, and means sealing between the anvil plug member and said counterbore to form a sealed chamber to cushion the effect of forces applied thereto.

8. The tool defined in claim 6 wherein said means limiting the distance the tool can move into the tubular member includes a slide member mounted on the tool and movable axially relative thereto, and means limiting the amount of relative axial movement therebetween, said slide member providing relatively shockproof means for holding and supporting the tool during the application of force thereto.

9. The tool defined in claim 8 including means for removing the tool from the tubular member after the end portion of the tubular member is enlarged, said means including an auxiliary tubular member slidably mounted on said slide member, said auxiliary member having a projecting portion thereon engageable with said slide member to limit relative axial movement therebetween and to provide means for transferring axial forces therebetween.

10. A tool for enlarging an end portion of a tubular member formed of a malleable material comprising a member having a first substantially cylindrical portion including a substantially cylindrical outer surface extending between opposed circular ends spaced apart a distance equal to the axial length of the end portion of a tubular member to be enlarged thereby, one of the spaced circular ends of said first portion being slightly larger in diameter than the opposite end so that said outer surface of said first portion has a slight end-to-end taper at an angle of less than approximately one degree relative to the axis thereof, guide means connected to the smaller diameter end of said first portion, said guide means having spaced circular ends of different diameters the larger of which is coincident with the smaller diameter end of the first portion and a tapered truncated outer surface extending between said spaced ends, means forming an outwardly extending abutment adjacent to the larger diameter end of said first portion to limit axial movement of said first portion into a tubular member during enlargement thereof, an anvil portion on the opposite end of the tool from the guide portion against which force can be applied to drive the tool axially into the end of the tubular member to be enlarged, and other outwardly extending means on the tool against which force can be applied in an axial direction to withdraw the tool from the tubular member.

11. A tool for accurately enlarging end portions of tubular members having substantially cylindrical inner surfaces and an end edge comprising an elongated body member having spaced cylindrical guide portions located at opposite ends thereof, said guide portions having diameters substantially the same as the unstressed inner diameters of tubular members to be enlarged, a truncated conical body portion connected to the inner ends respectively of each of the cylindrical guide portions, first and second substantially cylindrical body portions having one end coincident with the larger diameter ends respectively of each of the truncated body portions, each of said substantially cylindrical body portions having a substantially cylindrical outer surface extending between spaced circular ends, said substantially cylindrical outer surfaces having slight end-to-end axial tapers at an angle of less than approximately one degree relative to the axis of the body, an annular outwardly extending rib formed on the body between said first and second substantially cylindrical body portions, a slide member mounted on the body and including spaced opposed abutments selectively engageable with the outwardly extending rib to limit movement thereof in both directions on the body, a similar cylindrical cavity formed in both opposite ends of the body, and an anvil member including means resiliently sealing said anvil member in a selected one of the said body cavities to form a sealed chamber therewith, said anvil member and said seal forming a sealed chamber in the cavity in which it is positioned to cushion forces' applied against the anvil member when driving the opposite end of the tool into a tubular member to be enlarged.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 408,586 8/1889 Coleman 72-3 17 936,838 10/1909 Wardwell 72-479 1,521,265 12/1924 Anderson 29254 1,783,088 11/1930 Hill 72370 2,061,660 11/1930 Kamosis 72-479 2,438,292 3/1948 Linker et al. 29423 2,876,666 3/1959 Andric 72--479 2,915,107 12/1959 Wilson 72461 3,164,045 1/ 1965 Kennedy 72--479 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner. 

1. A TOOL FOR ENLARGING AN END PORTION OF A TUBULAR MEMBER COMPRISING A MEMBER HAVING A FIRST PORTION WITH AN OUTER ANNULAR SURFACE OF A DIAMETER GREATER THAN THE INTERNAL DIAMETER OF A TUBULAR MEMBER TO BE ENLARGED THEREBY, SAID ANNULAR SURFACE HAVING A TAPER OF LESS THAN APPORXIMATELY ONE DEGREE FROM ONE END OF SAID FIRST PORTION TO THE OTHER, A SECOND ANNULAR TAPERED PORTION INTEGRAL WITH SMALLER DIAMETER END OF THE AFORESAID FIRST PORTION AND AXIALLY ALINGNED THEREWITH, SAID SECOND TAPERED PORTION HAVING A LARGER DIAMETER END ADJACENT TO ONE END OF THE AFORESAID FIRST PORTION, SAID DIAMETER BEING SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME AS THE DIAMETER OF SAID ADJACENT END OF THE FIRST PORTION AND A SMALL DIAMETER OPPOSITE END HAVING A DIAMETER THAT IS SMALLER THAN THE INTERNAL DIAMETER OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER TO BE ENLARGED, AN ANVIL PORTION ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THE FIRST PORTION FROM THE TAPERED PORTION ON WHICH FORCE CAN BE APPLIED TO FORCE THE FIRST PORTION AXIALLY INTO AN END OF A TUBULAR MEMBER, AND MEANS ON SAID TOOL FOR LIMITING MOVEMENT THEREOF INTO THE TUBULAR MEMBER. 